Toilet flushing system

ABSTRACT

A toilet flushing system primarily having an actuating assembly, guide housing, funnel assembly and flexible hose. Designed to minimize water utilization, the water inlet is located above the water line in a natural state. With the ability to select the desired amount of water for flushing, the actuating assembly is pushed vertically downward within the guide housing to overcome the upward buoyancy force surrounding the funnel assembly. The flushing cycle may be interrupted by vertically pulling the actuating assembly with sufficient force to overcome the water pressure established over the funnel assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to discharging liquids fromcontainers, and more particularly, to a toilet flushing mechanism.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Conservation of water is a universal concern. Many designs fortoilet systems have been designed in the past. The majority of themhowever, include complex mechanisms interconnected by various links andpivoting hinges, designed to flush water out of toilet tanks. With thesecomplex systems, the prior art has shown inefficiencies by the way ofutilization of more water than is necessary to flush matter into asewage system. Additionally, build up of foreign matter on a tank ballor valve seat contributes to seepage and ultimately wasting of waterthat otherwise may have been utilized for its intended purpose. Othercontributions to water waste include valve deformation, improper valvealignment and deterioration. Water seepage, especially due to valve andhose defects, is common because such parts operate submerged in the tankunder constant water pressure from above.

[0005] There are no similar toilet flushing mechanisms to the best ofapplicant's knowledge, that incorporate a funnel system with a flotationdevice, serving as the water inlet for flushing purposes, which islocated above the water line in a natural state.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is one of the main objects of the present invention to providea simple and efficient system to flush water from a toilet tank.

[0007] It is another object of this invention to provide a toiletflushing system that may be incorporated into existing toilets withoutmajor modifications.

[0008] It is another object of this invention to provide a toiletflushing system that conserves water by controlling the amount to beflushed.

[0009] It is still another object of the present invention to provide atoilet flushing system that minimizes seepage where the water intake forflushing is above the water line at the natural state.

[0010] It is yet another object of this invention to provide such adevice that is inexpensive to manufacture and maintain while retainingits effectiveness.

[0011] Further objects of the invention will be brought out in thefollowing part of the specification, wherein detailed description is forthe purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placinglimitations thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] With the above and other related objects in view, the inventionconsists in the details of construction and combination of parts as willbe more fully understood from the following description, when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0013]FIG. 1 represents an isometric view of the present invention.

[0014]FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the present invention with acut-out of a toilet.

[0015]FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the actuating assembly andguide housing.

[0016]FIG. 4a illustrates an elevational view of the present inventionat the initial stage before flushing.

[0017]FIG. 4b illustrates an elevational view of the present inventionwhile flushing as water enters the funnel assembly.

[0018]FIG. 4c illustrates an elevational view of the present inventionat the position after completely flushing, with the flexible hosecompressed.

[0019]FIG. 4d illustrates an elevational view of the present inventionafter flushing when the buoyancy force from the float has overcome thepressure from the water.

[0020]FIG. 4e illustrates an elevational view of the present inventionwhen the water source continues to flow after its predetermined amount.

[0021]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the present invention in analternate embodiment.

[0022]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a flush control gauge in analternate embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0023] Referring now to the drawings, where the present invention isgenerally referred to with numeral 10, it can be observed that itbasically includes actuating assembly 20, guide housing 40, funnelassembly 50, and flexible hose assembly 70.

[0024] As seen in FIG. 1, actuating assembly 20 has handle 22 fixedlysecured at one end of tubular member 24. Handle 22 is manipulated by auser to actuate and control instant invention 10. Tubular member 24slidably journals within guide housing 40 for stabilization. Guidehousing 40 snugly fits a through-hole of toilet lid 102. Flanged lip 42of guide housing 40 is of sufficient area to keep guide housing 40 fromfalling within the through-hole of toilet lid 102. Opposite from handle22 of actuating assembly 20 is bead 30 mounted thereon. Actuatingassembly 20 is manufactured from a durable water-proof material such asplastic, or a material of similar characteristics.

[0025] Removably secured to actuating assembly 20 is funnel assembly 50.Funnel assembly 50 has exterior funnel 56 and interior funnel 60.Exterior funnel 56 has connectors 52 extending from the inside diametertowards the center. Ring 54 is formed at the center and is ofcooperative dimensions to receive tubular member 24. Ring 54 abuts bead30, and removable retainer 32 secures funnel assembly onto actuatingassembly 20. Fastenly secured by connectors 58, interior funnel 60 islocated at a predetermined distance from exterior funnel 56. Secured tothe exterior surface of exterior funnel 56 is float 62. The insidesurface of float 62 is of a cooperative shape to snugly secure to theexterior surface of exterior funnel 56. Exterior funnel 56 further hasflanged lip 64. Flanged lip 64 extends from exterior funnel 56 to haveflexible hose 76 snugly fit over. Clamp 66 secures flexible hose 76 tofunnel assembly 50. Spacer rings 72 snugly fit within ridged sections inorder to stabilize and erect flexible hose 76. Additionally, in thepreferred embodiment, flexible hose 76 is fastenly secured to base wall102′ of toilet 100, by clamp 74. Toilet 100 has out-take pipe 108.Flanged lip 104 helps secure flexible hose 76. Additionally, retainer106 keeps out-take pipe 108 stationary.

[0026] As seen in FIG. 2, instant invention 10 may be installed instandard toilets with minor modifications. Toilet lid 102 of toilet 100has a hole to allow for actuating assembly 20 to trespass therethough.As a flushing system, instant invention 10 is designed to rid water fromany container, or tank 114 in the preferred embodiment. Toilet 100, as astandard toilet, has an independent water source WS, seen in FIG. 4a andvalve system, not shown, to control water level WL.

[0027] Seen in FIG. 3 is actuating assembly 20 and guide housing 40.Guide housing 40 has flanged lip 42 mounted perpendicularly overcylindrical member 44. Marked on flanged lip 42 are flush guides 46′ and48′. Flush guide 46′ represents an approximate half tank water flushwhereas flush guide 48′ represents a full tank water flush. To controlthe desired flush, the user rotates handle 22, so that indicator 21points generally towards flush guide 46′ or 48′. Mounted on tubularmember 24 are vertical strip members 26, which have steps 26′. Verticalstrip members 26, and their respective steps 26′ have cooperativedimensions with grooves 46 and 48. For an approximate half tank flush,indicator 21 generally points towards flush guide 46′, and verticalstrip members 26 and steps 26′ align with grooves 46. In this position,steps 26′ have cooperative dimensions to slidably journal within grooves46, however, vertical strip members 26 do not. Thus only approximatelyhalf of tubular member 24 travels vertically downward, creating anapproximated half flush. For a full tank flush, indicator 21 generallypoints towards flush guide 48′, and vertical strip members 26 with steps26′ align with grooves 48 and slidably journal within guide housing 40.Once a desired flush is selected, the user pushes handle 22 verticallydownward to initiate the flushing system.

[0028] As seen in FIG. 4a, instant invention 10 is in a stationaryposition, before the flushing cycle has begun. Water level WL is at themaximum level as controlled by the shut off valve of the toilet, notseen. At this position, flexible hose 76 is extended due to the buoyancyof float 62 attached to funnel assembly 50. At this position, waterlevel WL is below the top rim of funnel assembly 50 so as to preventwater from escaping. Additionally, retainer 38 keeps guide housing 40stationary upon toilet lid 102.

[0029] As seen in FIG. 4b, the flushing cycle has begun. The user haspushed handle 22 vertically downward with sufficient force to overcomethe upward buoyancy force of float 62. With the vertically downwardforce from the user, the top rim of funnel assembly 50 plunges downwardand below water level WL. At this moment, due to the water pressurecontained within tank 114, seen in FIG. 2, water immediately entersexterior funnel 56, interior funnel 60, seen in FIG. 1, and the spaceestablished between them. Water travels through funnel assembly 50,flexible hose 76, and finally exiting through out-take pipe 108. Whileflushing, the water pressure established over the top rim of funnelassembly 50 causes flexible hose 76 to vertically collapse as waterflows through. During the initial stage of the flushing cycle, asdepicted in this figure, the user may interrupt the flush simply bypulling handle 22 of actuating assembly 20 vertically upward withsufficient force to overcome the water pressure in tank 114, seen inFIG. 2, escaping through funnel assembly 50.

[0030] As seen in FIG. 4c, all the available water in tank 114, seen inFIG. 2, for flushing has escape through funnel assembly 50 and flexiblehose 76 is still compressed.

[0031] As seen in FIG. 4d, the upward buoyancy force of float 62 hasovercome the water pressure force within tank 114, seen in FIG. 2. Atthis position, the water replenishment stage begins from toilet watersource WS for a subsequent flush. Upward buoyancy force of float 62keeps funnel assembly 50 above water level WL. As water enters tank 114,seen in FIG. 2, from water source WS, flexible hose 76 expands untilreattaining the position shown in FIG. 4a, thus completing the flushingcycle.

[0032] In the event that independent water supply WS or a valvemechanism, not seen, malfunctions, water may continue to enter tank 114,seen in FIG. 2. Seen in FIG. 4e, flexible hose 76 is fully extended dueto the upward buoyancy force of float 62. Water eventually reaches thetop rim of funnel assembly 50 and escapes through. However, so long asfunnel assembly 50 is not plunged into tank 114, seen in FIG. 2, waterwill only seep into funnel assembly 50 and will not activate actuatingassembly 20.

[0033] Shown in FIG. 5 is an alternate embodiment of instant invention10. Actuating assembly 110 primarily has lever 116, links 120, and arm130. Lever 116 has handle 112 fixedly secured. Similarly to handle 22,handle 112 is manipulated by a user to actuate and control instantinvention 10. Lever 116 is removably secured to links 120 and stationarylinks 122 with pins 118. Arm 130 connects to tubular member 24′, links120, and stationary link 124 with pins 118. Stationary links 122 and 124are fastenly secured to an inside wall of tank 114, seen in FIG. 2. At apredetermined angle, arm 130 has connectors 132 extending therefrom.Connectors 132 secure float 134. Funnel assembly 50 has exterior funnel56 and interior funnel 60. Exterior funnel 56 has connectors 52extending from the inside diameter towards the center. Ring 54 is formedat the center and is of cooperative dimensions to receive tubular member24′. Ring 54 abuts bead 30, and removable retainer 32 secures funnelassembly onto tubular member 24′. Secured to the exterior surface ofexterior funnel 56 is float 62. The inside surface of float 62 is of acooperative shape to snugly secure to the exterior surface of exteriorfunnel 56.

[0034] To operate instant invention 10 in this alternate embodiment, theuser actuates handle 112, thereby engaging links 120, arm 130, andultimately funnel assembly 50. As in the preferred embodiment, withmanipulation of handle 112, the flush may be interrupted.

[0035] Seen in FIG. 6 is a flush guide 140 in an alternate embodiment.Flush guide 140, when installed to complement the alternate embodimentshown in FIG. 5, is utilized to determine the amount of water to be usedfor flushing. Slide member 144 generally travels in a horizontaldirection, riding upon track 146 which is securely fastened to anexterior wall of tank 114. Indicators 142, 142′, and 142″ serve asvisual representations of the flush amount selection that corresponds tothe surface upon slide member 144. After making the desired selectionfor flushing, handle 112 is pushed in the direction of slide member 144until making contact with the corresponding surface, thus determiningthe amount of water to flush.

[0036] The foregoing description conveys the best understanding of theobjectives and advantages of the present invention. Differentembodiments may be made of the inventive concept of this invention. Itis to be understood that all matter disclosed herein is to beinterpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. A flushing mechanism for a container assembly,comprising: A) a first flushing means for discharging matter from saidcontainer, said first flushing means normally located above the watersurface of said container; B) a floatation system with a unique shapeaxially mounted to said first flushing means, causing said firstflushing means to remain buoyant; and C) a flexible hose assembly havingcooperative dimensions to coact with said first flushing means and anout-take pipe of said container.
 2. The flushing mechanism for acontainer assembly set forth in claim 1, wherein said first flushingmeans has an actuating system and funnel assembly having at least oneexterior and interior funnel, said funnel assembly submerging in saidmatter while flushing until said matter is exhausted.
 3. The flushingmechanism for a container assembly set forth in claim 2, wherein saidflexible hose assembly has inserts to stabilize said flexible hose.
 4. Aflushing mechanism for a container assembly, comprising: D) an actuatingassembly having a shaft with first and second ends, said first endhaving a handle and said second end including retaining means, saidactuating assembly further includes a stopper surface on said shaft at afirst predetermined distance from said first end towards said second endwithout reaching said second end, and a guide housing receiving saidshaft therethrough; E) a funnel assembly with third and fourth ends,said funnel assembly having at least one exterior and interior funnelwhereas said third end coacts against said stopper surface and is heldby said retaining means, and said fourth end includes a flange rigidlymounted thereon, said exterior funnel including a float with a uniqueshape axially mounted thereon, causing said funnel assembly to remainbuoyant; F) a flexible hose assembly with fifth and sixth ends, saidfifth end having cooperative dimensions to coact with said fourth endand said sixth end having cooperative dimensions to coact with anout-take pipe of said container; and G) first flushing means forflushing matter through said funnel assembly, wherein a user exerting adownwardly force on said actuating assembly overcomes the generallyupward buoyancy force of said float.
 5. The flushing mechanism for acontainer assembly set forth in claim 4, wherein said shaft has verticalstrips mounted thereon.
 6. The flushing mechanism for a containerassembly set forth in claim 5, wherein said guide housing has first andsecond grooves.
 7. The flushing mechanism for a container assembly setforth in claim 6, wherein said handle has adjustment means to establishthe amount of matter to be utilized whereas said adjustment meansincludes: H) said vertical strips selectively brought in alignment withsaid first groove thereby restricting the travel of said shaft and inalignment with said second groove having unobstructed travel thatpermits the full flush operation of said container.
 8. The flushingmechanism for a container assembly set forth in claim 7, wherein saidcontainer is a toilet.
 9. A flushing mechanism for a container assembly,comprising: I) an actuating assembly having a shaft with first andsecond ends, said first end is removably connected to an elongated armmember, said elongated arm member including a float with a unique shapeaxially mounted thereon, causing said elongated arm member to remainbuoyant, said elongated arm member connected to stationary and movablelinks, connecting to a handle; J) a funnel assembly with third andfourth ends, said funnel assembly having at least one exterior andinterior funnel whereas said third end coacts against said stoppersurface and is held by said retaining means, and said fourth endincludes a flange rigidly mounted thereon, said exterior funnelincluding a float with a unique shape axially mounted thereon, causingsaid funnel assembly to remain buoyant; K) a flexible hose assembly withfifth and sixth ends, said fifth end having cooperative dimensions tocoact with said fourth end and said sixth end having cooperativedimensions to coact with an out-take pipe of said container; and L)first flushing means for flushing matter through said funnel assembly,wherein a user exerting a downwardly force on said handle overcomes thegenerally upward buoyancy force of said float.
 10. The flushingmechanism for a container assembly set forth in claim 9, wherein theflush by said actuating assembly has adjustment means to establish theamount of matter to be utilized whereas said adjustment means includes:M) a flush guide selectively brought in alignment with said handle, saidflush guide with at least one elevation thereby restricting the travelof said handle and when not in alignment with said elevation, saidhandle having unobstructed travel that permits the full flush operation.11. The flushing mechanism for a container assembly set forth in claim10, wherein said container is a toilet.